Robert E Opal

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert E. Opal, our husband and father, but with deepest joy that we claim on his behalf eternal life with our Savior Jesus Christ. Bob left this world at 10:41pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012, and joined his mother, Kathryn (Widmann) Opal, siblings Richard Opal, Dorothy Wildeman and Mary E. (Betty) Schall, daughter Cynthia (Opal) Morris, and nephews Robert Adam Faircloth and N. Andrew Greenwood in God’s loving embrace. Mass will occur at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Ann Arbor, at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Bob spent his life serving others. He gave over eight years of service to the National Guard, K Company, 125th regiment, 46th infantry division, achieving the rank of Sergeant. As an expert in the field of pest control, he served Washtenaw County and beyond offering common sense and compassion to private individuals and business owners alike for over 40 years. Bob served as president of the local Society of St. Vincent DePaul during the early 1970s, and he was also active in the civil defense group R.E.A.C.T. (Radio Emergency Associated Communication Team) acting for many years as the chapter president, serving Ann Arbor and surrounding areas by assisting police and other agencies with communications and physical support in time of emergency and at public events.

He supported his children and the community at large as a troop leader for both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, encouraged his oldest children to be active in 4H, and even joined the local chapter of the Moose to facilitate his youngest son’s passion for the shooting sports. The outgoing family man attended plays, concerts, and barbershop performances as his kids explored their talents. Bob never failed to encourage his children to be the best they could be, and led by example in challenging them to lead a life of service.

A woodworker, many of his creations are still being enjoyed by friends and family. He shared his love of camping with his family, and in later years participated with his wife Connie in a local chapter of the National Campers and Hikers Association, presiding as president of the Huron Hooters Family Campers and RVers for the last four years. Bob was known by his family as the keeper of the peonies, having saved rootstock from his mother’s garden at the home where he grew up in Ann Arbor, which he nurtured to share with his children as they moved on to homes of their own. Bob always enjoyed a good laugh with his friends down at the Washtenaw Dairy, where he spent many a morning reminiscing with them before walking his morning mile at Briarwood Mall with his friends there.

Bob leaves behind his best friend and wife, Constance (Kurtis) Opal, son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Barbara Opal; son-in-law Douglas (Cynthia) Morris; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Cheryl Opal and granddaughters Jessica, Krista and Andrea; son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Kerrie Opal and granddaughter Elaina; daughter and son-in-law Gaylene and Richard Deitering and granddaughters Amanda and Holly; sister and brother-in-law Carol and Donald Faircloth, sister Joan Kelly, sister-in-law Beverly (Richard) Opal, brother-in-law Richard (Betty) Schall, numerous nephews and nieces, and a great many friends.

While we will all miss his humor and steadfast integrity, we celebrate his life and are grateful to have shared it with him.

The family thanks you for your friendship and support as we move forward with our lives until we join him in eternity.